Long Term Care

The Administration on Aging (AoA) is the Federal agency responsible for advancing the concerns and interests of older people and their caregivers. AoA works with and through the Aging Services Network to promote the development of a comprehensive and coordinated system of home and community-based long-term care that is responsive to the needs and preferences of older people and their family caregivers. AoA is part of the Department of Health and Human Services and is headed by the Assistant Secretary for Aging, who reports directly to the Secretary.

The Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) advises the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services on policy development in health, disability, human services, data, and science, and provides advice and analysis on economic policy. ASPE leads special initiatives, coordinates the Department's evaluation, research and demonstration activities, and manages cross-Department planning activities such as strategic planning, legislative planning, and review of regulations. Integral to this role, ASPE conducts research and evaluation studies, develops policy analyses, and estimates the cost and benefits of policy alternatives under consideration by the Department or Congress.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), formerly the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), administers Medicare, Medicaid, related quality assurance programs, and other programs. It also makes certain that its beneficiaries are aware of the services for which they are eligible, that services are accessible, and that they are provided in an effective manner. CMS ensures that its policies and actions promote efficiency and quality within the total health care delivery system. Questions concerning Medicare or Medicaid can be made to the above number or sent by mail or electronic mail to the agency.

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the primary Federal agency for improving access to health care services for people who are uninsured, isolated or medically vulnerable. HRSA provides leadership and financial support to health care providers, and through its grantees, health care to uninsured people, people living with HIV/AIDS, and pregnant women, mothers and children. HRSA trains health professionals to improve systems of care in rural communities, and oversees organ, bone marrow and cord blood donation. It supports programs that prepare against bioterrorism, compensates individuals harmed by vaccination, and maintains databases that protect against health care malpractice and health care waste, fraud and abuse.

AARP is the nation's leading organization for people age 50 and older. It serves their needs and interests through information and education, advocacy, and community services provided by a network of local chapters and experienced volunteers throughout the country. The organization also offers members a wide range of special benefits and services, including Modern Maturity Magazine and the monthly Bulletin.

AdultDayCare.org is a national resource for adult day care centers, whose directory contains 4,500 adult day care locations across the United States. Referrals are given free of charge through a toll-free number: 1-866-333-6002.

The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a not-for-profit organization of close to 6,000 health professionals devoted to improving the health, independence and quality of life of all older people. The Society provides leadership to healthcare professionals, policy makers and the public by implementing and advocating for programs in patient care, research, professional and public education, and public policy.

The American Health Care Association (AHCA) is a federation of 50 state health organizations, together representing nearly 12,000 non-profit and for-profit assisted living, nursing facility, and subacute care providers that care for more than one million elderly and disabled individuals nationally. AHCA was founded in 1949 to promote standards for professionals in long-term health care delivery and quality care for residents. AHCA was formerly called the American Nursing Home Association, and AHCA and its affiliates are nonprofit associations.

The American Occupational Therapy Association is a national professional society established in 1917 to represent the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners, and to improve the quality of occupational therapy services. Occupational therapy is a vital health care service whose practitioners help to restore and sustain the highest quality of productive life to persons recovering from illnesses or injuries, or coping with developmental disabilities or changes resulting from the aging process. Current AOTA membership numbers approximately 42,000, including occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapy students. Members reside in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 65 foreign countries. AOTA's major programs and activities are directed toward assuring the quality of occupational services; improving consumer access to healthcare services, and promoting the professional development of members.

The American Society of Consultant Pharmacists was founded in 1969 to represent the interests of its members and promote safe and effective medication therapy for the nation's long-term care residents. ASCP members serve the full spectrum of long-term care settings, including nursing homes, subacute care and assisted living facilities, psychiatric hospitals, facilities for the mentally retarded, correctional institutions, hospices, and home care.

The National Association for Hispanic Elderly [Asociación Nacional Pro Personas Mayores] was founded in 1975 to serve the needs of Hispanic elderly and other low income persons. It is recognized as the pioneer and the leading organization in the field of Hispanic Aging. It has become one of the broadest based Hispanic organizations in the nation. It is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation with both public and private funding. It has earned a national reputation for its work with the elderly and for its increasingly significant role in the larger Hispanic community. The scope of the Association’s work includes employment programs, services for the elderly, economic development projects which include low-income housing and neighborhood development programs, research and data collection, training and technical assistance, development of model projects, and award winning media productions. The Association has an extended network of over 500 public and private community service organizations throughout the nation.

AssistedLivingFacilities.org lists information on over 36,300 state-licensed assisted living facilities. Senior care experts help families and caregivers decide if assisted living is a good option for their loved one, and if so, to select the best facility possible.

This is a national nonprofit, non-partisan organization dedicated to the achievement of high-quality, affordable health and long-term care for all Americans. Families USA works at the national, state and community levels to: manage a grassroots advocates' network of organizations and individuals working for the consumer perspective in the national and state health policy debates. Membership in the network, asap! and its subgroup, the Medicaid Advocacy Network, is free to advocates. It distributes timely information and mobilizes people for action when appropriate; act as a watchdog over government actions affecting health care, alerting consumers to changes and helping them have a say in the development of policy; provide training and technical assistance to -- and work collaboratively with -- state- and community-based organizations as they address critical health care problems in their communities and state capitals; produce highly-respected health policy reports describing the problems facing health care consumers and outlining steps to solve them; conduct public information campaigns about the concerns of health care consumers using sophisticated media techniques that reach many millions of Americans through television, radio, newspaper and other print outlets; serve as a consumer clearinghouse for information about the health care system; help organizations secure public benefits for lower-income people through use of our innovative computerized benefit information services; work in concert with a wide range of organizations -- from business to consumer to health provider organizations -- towards the achievement of health care that is high-quality and affordable for all Americans.

Founded in 1977, Family Caregiver Alliance was the first community-based nonprofit organization in the country to address the needs of families and friends providing long-term care at home. Long recognized as a pioneer in health services, FCA now offers programs at national, state and local levels to support and sustain caregivers. Family Caregiver Alliance is a public voice for caregivers, illuminating the daily challenges they face, offering them the assistance they so desperately need and deserve, and championing their cause through education, services, research and advocacy. Uniting research, policy and practice, FCA established the National Center on Caregiving (NCC) to advance the development of high-quality, cost effective programs and policies for caregivers in every state in the country.

The Gray Panthers, organized in 1970, is a national organization of intergenerational activists dedicated to social change. Whether at the local, state or federal level, Gray Panthers fight to change laws and attitudes for social justice. Major issues of concern include: health care, Social Security, civil rights and anti-discrimination (ageism, sexism, racism), environment, and peace. Accomplishments range from having initiated fights against forced retirement at age 65, to exposing nursing home abuse, and working in coalition for Universal Health Care.

NAPGCM was formed in 1985 as the “National Association of Private Geriatric Care Managers.” Membership consisted of approximately 50 members (mostly nurses and social workers), who were business owners and who had a minimum of a Master’s Degree in a Human Resource Management field and two years of supervised experience in a geriatric care setting. The association was seen as a trade association — one dedicated to growing the businesses of members and to position those members to capture a large market share of this newly emerging field called “geriatric care management.”
The organization's mission is to advance professional geriatric care management through education, collaboration, and leadership.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) was founded in 1955 as a professional organization for social workers from a merger of seven predecessor organizations. It promotes the professional growth and development of its members, establishes and maintains professional standards of practice, and advances sound social policies and legislation. Major areas of concern include social work services, employment and economic support, health and mental health, education, human and civil rights, and quality assurance. NASW is also dedicated to the elimination of racism, sexism, and poverty.

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded as the National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform (NCCNHR) in 1975 by Elma Holder. The organization represents the consumer voice at the national level for quality long-term care, services and supports by advocating for public policies that support quality care and quality of life responsive to consumers' needs in all long-termcare settings; empowering and educating consumers and families with the knowledge and tools they need to advocate for themselves; training and supporting individuals and groups that empower and advocate for consumers of long-term care; and promoting the critical role of direct-care workers and best practices in qualitycare delivery.

Founded in 1950, the National Council on the Aging is the nation's first charitable organization to serve as a national voice and powerful advocate on behalf of older Americans. NCOA is an innovator, developing programs such as BenefitsCheckUp, Foster Grandparents and Family Friends. NCOA is an activator, working with thousands of its community organization members nationwide to provide needed services to older people. NCOA is a private, nonprofit association of some 3,500 member organizations and individuals that include senior centers, area agencies on aging, employment services, congregate meal sites, faith congregations health centers, and senior housing. NCOA also includes a network of more than 17,000 organizations and individuals including its members, professionals and volunteers, service providers, consumer groups, businesses, government agencies, religious groups and voluntary organizations.

A nonprofit membership organization, NPA represents the interests of over 100 organizational members. These member organizations share the goal of promoting the availability of quality, comprehensive, and cost-effective health care services to frail older adults through the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and similar models of care.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations is a private, not for profit organization established in 1951 to evaluate health care organizations that voluntarily seek accreditation. The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 16,000 health care organizations in the United States, including 4,400 hospitals, more than 3,900 home care entities, and over 7,000 other health care organizations that provide behavioral health care, laboratory, ambulatory care, and long term care services. The Joint Commission also evaluates and accredits health plans and health care networks. It is governed by representatives from the American College of Physicians, the American College of Surgeons, the American Dental Association, the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, an at-large nursing representative, six public members, and the Joint Commission President.

The Well Spouse Association founded in 1988, is a non-profit, self-help organization which offers support to partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled through local support groups, a quarterly newsletter and round robin letter chains. The organization is involved with other groups in educating health care professionals and the public about the needs of "well spouses", and the importance of long-term care. It coordinates respite weekends as well as an annual national conference.

A Federal Government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
healthfinder.gov is sponsored by the National Health Information Center
200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20201
Page last updated:
Sunday, August 02, 2015